KSE-100 plunges by 1,505 amid dismal economic data

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under pressure throughout the day on Wednesday. The benchmark KSE-100 index plunges by 1,505 points amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and dismal economic data.

The index closed lower by 1,505.11 points, or 1.23 per cent, to 120,465.93 points, down from 121,971.04 points recorded in the last session. The highest index of the day remained at 121,905.5 points, while the lowest level was recorded at 120,418 points.

Ahsan Mehanti, an analyst at Arif Habib Corp, attributed the broad market decline to elevated Middle East tensions and investor concerns over Pakistan’s dismal economic data, specifically a $103 million current account deficit in May 2025 driven by surging imports.

He said that weak global equities and a falling rupee played a catalytic role in panic selling at the PSX.The KSE-30 index decreased by 406.83 points or 1.1 per cent to 36,506.12 points from 36,912.96 points.

Traded shares dropped by 445 million shares to 707.300 million shares from 1,152.012 million shares. The trading value decreased to Rs21.273 billion from Rs27.983 billion. Market capital narrowed to Rs14.61 trillion against Rs14.780 trillion. Of the 470 companies active in the session, 102 closed in green, 327 in red and 41 remained unchanged.

Naveed Nadeem, an analyst at Topline Securities, said the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) endured a lacklustre trading session, mirroring the nervous sentiment across global markets. Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly the escalating standoff between Iran and Israel, weighed heavily on investor confidence. The atmosphere of uncertainty prompted a risk-averse approach, leaving the market directionless for most of the day.

Heavyweight counters including ENROH, PKGP, PPL, MARI, and UBL exerted significant downward pressure, collectively contributing to a 488-point decline in the index.The highest increase was recorded in Macter International Limited, which rose by Rs46.72 to Rs513.90 per share, followed by Hinopak Motors Limited, which increased by Rs41 to Rs451.03 per share. A significant decline was noted in PIA Holding Company Limited B, which fell by Rs1,530.02 to Rs13,770.15 per share; Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs211 to Rs22,989 per share.

Analyst Mubashir Anis Naviwala at JS Global said the bourse remained under selling pressure throughout the session. Investor sentiment remained weak amid uncertainty, leading to very low market participation.

He said the sharp decline reflects growing concerns around geopolitical risks and economic outlook. The broader trend remains uncertain, with caution prevailing across the board. “We advise investors to adopt a defensive approach and limit aggressive exposure. Risk management is essential in the current volatile environment,” he advised.

WorldCall Telecom remained the volume leader with 110.905 million shares, which closed lower by 11 paisas to Rs1.50 per share. Prud Mod1st, with 51.711 million shares, followed it, which closed higher by 74 paisas to Rs4.61 per share.

Other significant turnover stocks included Pervez Ahmed Co, Sui South Gas, TPL Properties, Ist. Capital Sec, PIA Holding Company, Secure Logistics Gro, First Dawood Prop, and Invest Bank. In the futures market, 314 companies recorded trading, 36 of which increased, 276 decreased and 2 remained unchanged.